HARTFORD — The last Sunday of campaigning in a Democratic primary race for mayor between incumbent Pedro Segarra and party-endorsed challenger Luke Bronin appeared quite different for the two candidates, at least officially.
Segarra started a full schedule of campaign-listed events in his uphill battle for re-election with morning services at Mount Olive in the North End.
Segarra, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, shook hands with church-goers and spoke to the Rev. Dion Watkins before taking a seat in the front pew.
Segarra stood and clapped and sang along with gospels and hymns, during a two-hour, standing-room-only service.
With the hotly contested Hartford Democratic mayoral primary just days away, here are the positions on key issues for Mayor Pedro Segarra and challenger Luke Bronin — and the personal and professional details that go beyond stump speeches and television ads.
With the hotly contested Hartford Democratic mayoral primary just days away, here are the positions on key issues for Mayor Pedro Segarra and challenger Luke Bronin — and the personal and professional details that go beyond stump speeches and television ads.
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During his sermon, Watkins asked the congregation to pray for an end to the violence that has resulted in 25 deaths in the city this year. Segarra nodded his head.
At the end of the service, Segarra quickly left and headed for a lunch event at a Jamaican restaurant farther north up Main Street, where he was expected to be joined by incumbent city Councilman Kenneth Kennedy, according to his campaign.
From there Segarra went to a skateboarding event at the Heaven Skate Park downtown, before canvassing North End neighborhoods twice and sandwiching in a visit to his campaign headquarters.
VANESSA DE LA TORRE and JENNA CARLESSO HARTFORD Mayor Pedro Segarra and challenger Luke Bronin zipped across the city Saturday in a final push to win votes before the Democratic primary, lobbing insults between campaign stops. HARTFORD Mayor Pedro Segarra and challenger Luke Bronin zipped across the city Saturday in a final push to win votes before the Democratic primary, lobbing insults between campaign stops. ( VANESSA DE LA TORRE and JENNA CARLESSO ) –>
Meanwhile, Bronin was scheduled for only two campaign-listed events, a 12:30 p.m. visit to Elizabeth Park for Hercules Helping Hands, which the campaign canceled late Sunday morning, and a stop the violence cookout at the West Indian Social Club at 5:30 p.m., which was cancelled apparently because of threatening weather.
Bronin said later that he spent the morning at church services at First Cathedral in Bloomfield, where many parishioners are from Hartford. In the afternoon, Bronin said, he attended services at the Citadel in Hartford.
Bronin said he didn’t list the events officially because he was invited by clergy and residents and didn’t feel that it was appropriate to invite the media.
As for the rest of the day, Bronin knocked on doors in the South End and then headed to the Pond House in Elizabeth Park at about 6 p.m. for a fundraiser for a community arts event known as Night Fall, twhich gives outdoor performances involving giant puppets.
Dressed casually in an open-necked purple check shirt and jeans, Bronin greeted participants who sipped wine and munched half burgers and spicy chicken wraps. Many voiced their support for him.
“Did you schedule some sleep for yourself this week?” asked Robin Zaleski, a Hartford resident who she strongly supports Bronin.
“Plenty of time for that after the 16th,” Bronin said, referring to the Wednesday election day.
Zaleski said later, “I very much support Luke and the change he will bring to Hartford.”
Others also spoke positively about the change they thought Bronin could bring. Cate Vallone, the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, said: “I like that he’s young and has a family in Hartford. I feel like when I think about living in Hartford with a little kid, I look forward to his vision of the future being like ours.”
Marge Morrissey, another resident, said she’s “very impressed with Luke. I think he’s going to be a really good leader with accountability being number one on his agenda.
“I am eternally grateful to Pedro for stepping up five years ago when we desperately needed a good mayor and Pedro is a good person and he loves Hartford with all his heart,” Morrissey continued. “Now, we need a change.”
As Bronin made his way around the room, shaking hands with some, embracing others, he said the campaign is “going very well, but we are going to continue working hard every minute.”
Bronin said he was well-received at the churches and at the homes where he’s knocked on doors. “There continues to be a real sense of energy and desire for change out there,” he said.
As he left the Pond House after about 45 minutes, Bronin said he planned to go back to knocking on doors Sunday evening. “Just outside is a big thundercloud, but I’m going to risk it,” he said.
“We’re focused on reaching out to our supporters,” he said
Courant staff writer Kathleen Megan contributed to this story.
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